Blurred Lines

Honestly, there are many things wrong with the lyrics and video of the painfully catchy song, "Blurred Lines," that I'm not quite sure where to begin. Being sensitive on the topic, I strongly favor with categorizing "Blurred Lines" as "rapey."

We can begin with the title: "Blurred Lines." My interpretation is that the "blurred lines" he so evidently hates is the idea of what is, or isn't, consensual sex. What if she's "leading him on" or "teasing him" versus just saying yes or no?

My answer to that question is that if you're about to have consensual sex, YOU WILL KNOW. If you have any doubts about the consent, then you should NOT HAVE SEX WITH THAT PERSON. Simple? Maybe not for Robin Thicke. This song explains how the girl is not all gung-ho for having sex, so Robin Thicke tries to convince her with the insistent "I know you want it, I know you want it!" What Thicke must understand is that these lines are not blurred. No means no, and "no" certainly does not mean "convince me." It's a violation of respect and trust for the other person. Trying to make have sex with someone who doesn't want to have sex is 100% rapey.

Secondly, the way he portrays women in his video is fairly obviously problematic... He uses the women in his video as decoration as he establishes dominance by being fully clothed in a suit while the girls wear next to nothing. He continues by blowing smoke in girls' faces and having them prance around him; the video is clearly for male enjoyment and benefit.

Jennifer Lai's standpoint on "Blurred Lines" not being rapey was justified by the fact that he wasn't literally saying "I want to have forced sex with you." But in my opinion--and I think I speak for many women when I say this-- is that when a man in constantly pushing and pressuring you to have sex it is deeply discomforting and extremely violating of our personal rights.

All in all, "Blurred Lines," although ridiculously catchy, has crossed many boundaries and has breached the comfort and respect of many women.